General Mills says it’s finally ditching artificial flavors and colors from all of its cereal brands.

The move comes after Kraft and Nestlé have made similar announcements, and after General Mills earned praise for confirming its original Cheerios cereal does not contain any genetically modified ingredients.

“Consumers increasingly want the ingredient list for their cereal to look like what they pull out of their pantry,” Jim Murphy, president of General Mills U.S. cereal business, told the Star Tribune, stating that consumers don’t want labels full of “colors with numbers and ingredients you can’t pronounce.”

To start, popular children’s cereals Trix, Cocoa Puffs and Reese’s Puffs will be free from artificial colors and flavors by the end of the year.

According to Murphy, 60 percent of General Mills’ cereal products are already free of artificial colors or flavors. The company anticipates 90 percent of the General Mills’ brands will be free of the controversial ingredients by the end of 2016, and the entire range of cereal products in the General Mills family will be free from artificial colors and flavors in 2017.

“The look is important,” Murphy said. “People taste with their eyes sometimes,” suggesting why the controversial ingredients have been so important to the brand. But Murphy says the changes will be mostly “imperceptible” to consumers. However, popular children’s cereal Trix will no longer include blue and green colored puffs.

“Trix is known for color, so this hit Trix pretty hard,” said Kate Gallagher, a General Mills cereal developer. According to the Consumerist, “natural ingredients the company tried to get those same colors didn’t work out so well.”

“It didn’t deliver the brighter color and it was imparting a flavor we didn’t want,” Gallagher said.

Artificial colors have been linked to behavioral issues in children—ironic, since parents often purchase these colorful cereals to ensure their children eat breakfast so they’ll be focused and energized for school and activities. The European Union has banned several artificial colors, including some of those found in General Mills’ products for their connection to serious behavioral problems, including ADHD in children.

]]>The 25 Most Sugary Breakfast Cereals: EWG’s List of Offendershttp://www.organicauthority.com/the-25-most-sugary-breakfast-cereals-ewgs-list-of-offenders/
Wed, 28 May 2014 16:51:44 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/?p=29530For too many families, these breakfast cereals aren’t a sweet treat, rather, they’re considered breakfast on a daily basis. The Environmental Working Group has just released its list of overly sweetened cereals in a report entitled: “Children’s Cereals: Sugar by the Pound.” It’s worth a read because sending a child to school after eating a […]

For too many families, these breakfast cereals aren’t a sweet treat, rather, they’re considered breakfast on a daily basis. The Environmental Working Group has just released its list of overly sweetened cereals in a report entitled: “Children’s Cereals: Sugar by the Pound.” It’s worth a read because sending a child to school after eating a sugary mess sets them up for the ups and downs that sugar–or in most cases high fructose corn syrup–is known to cause. Not to mention the artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives that processed cereals typically also contain.

The report found that in the list of cereals “92 percent of cold cereals in the US come preloaded with added sugars.” Children’s cereals had an average of 40 percent more sugar than adult cereals or oatmeal. Granola also tended to have a lot of sugar. What’s more, 97 percent of the cereals listed underestimated the amount of cereal that people actually ate. Looking for a healthy breakfast for kids? Skip these.

]]>Of Course Mikey Likes It: Kids’ Breakfast Cereals No Better than Cookies, EWG Research Findshttp://www.organicauthority.com/of-course-mikey-likes-it-kids-breakfast-cereals-no-better-than-cookies-ewg-research-finds/
Tue, 20 May 2014 07:00:15 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/?p=29442Half of each bite of some of the most popular children’s breakfast cereals is little more than sugar, cites new research by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Breakfast cereals targeted at children, including Kellogg’s Honey Smacks and Apple Jacks with Marshmallows measured as containing 50 percent sugar (by weight). The report, entitled “Children’s Cereals: Sugar […]

The report, entitled “Children’s Cereals: Sugar by the Pound” tested 1,556 cereals, including 181 specifically targeted at children. According to the findings, “on average, children’s cereals contain nearly as much sugar in a serving as three Chips Ahoy! cookies.” Over the course of a year, the report notes, eating a bowl of a kid’s cereal every day would equate to eating about ten pounds of sugar.

“It doesn’t help matters that children’s cereals are significantly more sugary than those marketed for adults,” EWG’s Press Secretary Jane Coaston said in a blog post. “On average, 34 percent of the calories in children’s cereals come from sugar. And despite widespread criticism by consumers and the scientific community, there has been limited progress in cutting the amount of sugar. Not one cereal on the list of worst offenders in EWG’s 2011 report, “Sugar in Children’s Cereals,” has lowered its sugar content.”

Even more startling than the discovery of the high sugar content, the research found that 11 out of the 13 most sugary breakfast cereals featured product packaging claims promoting their “nutrient content,” Coaston noted. “No wonder kids are gobbling two to three times the amount of sugar experts recommend.” The portion sizes were also understated, with some recommended serving sizes as few as just 12 bites.

The FDA currently has no set limit on how much sugar can be added to food products claiming to have nutritional benefits.

]]>The Latest Cocktail Recipes Trend: Breakfast Cereal Infusionshttp://www.organicauthority.com/cocktail-recipes-breakfast-cereal
Fri, 06 Dec 2013 08:00:54 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/?p=26351You saddle up to the bar, and take a look at the cocktail menu. Martini? Too classic. Negroni? Too adult. French 75? Too bubbly. How about a Cocoa Pebbles Old Fashioned? You might like your cocktail recipes simple and straight up, but there’s a new drink trend in town and it’s all about invoking the […]

You saddle up to the bar, and take a look at the cocktail menu. Martini? Too classic. Negroni? Too adult. French 75? Too bubbly. How about a Cocoa Pebbles Old Fashioned?

You might like your cocktail recipes simple and straight up, but there’s a new drink trend in town and it’s all about invoking the memories of childhood. Yes, some of the biggest names in bartending aren’t infusing their cocktails with homemade bitters, they’re using breakfast cereals.

Thanks to the highbrow/lowbrow trend, you can now get everything from Cap’n Crunch (in the Breakfast of Champions drink at Twisted Spoke in Chicago) to cereal infused milks (that’s where actual cereal is soaked in milk, then strained out before using the now sweet tasting liquid in various drinks) according to Details. And then of course, there are the places that infuse the cereal directly into the liquor, like Broken Shaker in Miami which serves up the infamous Cocoa Pebbles Old Fashioned. What’s better than a cereal-infused bourbon after all?

Infusing your own cereal milk takes time however, so for the busy at-home bartender you can buy pre-made cereal milk from Cow Wow in Los Angeles. And hey, it’s organic! Because nothing says organic like the artificial flavoring of sugary cereal.

Seriously, has the foodie craze gone a bit too far with this one? Maybe, but it’s not just an American trend reserved for the hipster crowd of Brooklyn. You can find cereal inspired cocktails everywhere from Bordeaux to Boston to London.

Now we can all just wait for the healthier version, the Muesli Mojito, coming soon to a co-op near you.

]]>From Our Friends: December 14, 2012http://www.organicauthority.com/from-our-friends/from-our-friends-dec-14-2012.html
Fri, 14 Dec 2012 02:28:59 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s12-features/c39-from-our-friends/from-our-friends-dec-14-2012/Welcome to this week’s installment of From Our Friends, our weekly roundup where we highlight some of our favorite posts from the past week from our friends and partners around the web. This week’s edition includes articles on gluten-free deserts for the holidays, why you should stock up your kitchen with lemons, how to make […]

Welcome to this week’s installment of From Our Friends, our weekly roundup where we highlight some of our favorite posts from the past week from our friends and partners around the web. This week’s edition includes articles on gluten-free deserts for the holidays, why you should stock up your kitchen with lemons, how to make art with your kids sans the toxins, absolutely everything you need to know about coffee, and a ton of great healthy breakfast options that aren’t bagels and cereal. Enjoy these, and have a wonderful weekend!

1. Gluten-free desserts have gone mainstream — with good reason. The best recipes are sinfully enticing, and healthy, too. Check them out over at Experience Life.

2. Packed with vitamins and nutrients, lemons are a must for every household. Their many health benefits include improving digestion, fighting cancer and more. Read why they should be a part of your daily diet on The Organic Whey.

3. Luckily, there are more options available now for making art with your kids SANS the toxins. Instead of using heavy metals and harsh chemicals, there are natural art materials that are made with fruit and plant extracts for gorgeously vibrant colors and also the sweet aroma of “realness” while you paint or draw. Read all about them on MightyNest.

4. YogiTimes breaks down coffee from its early uses to its health benefits in a great, easy to read post. Check it out!

5. If you chow down a bowl of cereal or go for a breakfast bagel before you head out the door in the morning, chances are good you’ll be napping at your desk a few hours later. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that healthy breakfast foods don’t just help with weight loss and weight management; they also determine your productivity. For better concentration levels, improved energy and a slimmer waistline, check out these healthy breakfast ideas from Blisstree to replace your bagel and cereal habit.

]]>A Spoonful of Sugar for Baby’s First Food?http://www.organicauthority.com/kids/babys-first-food-shouldnt-be-white-rice-ceral.html
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:39:31 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s2-sanctuary/c22-kids/babys-first-food-shouldnt-be-white-rice-ceral/Would you feed your baby a spoonful of sugar for her first bite of solid food? Of course you wouldn’t! But for the past 50 years, nearly 98 percent of babies first foods in the United States have been white rice cereal, and Dr. Alan Greene, a pediatrician at Stanford University’s Lucile Packard Children Hospital and […]

Would you feed your baby a spoonful of sugar for her first bite of solid food? Of course you wouldn’t! But for the past 50 years, nearly 98 percent of babies first foods in the United States have been white rice cereal, and Dr. Alan Greene, a pediatrician at Stanford University’s Lucile Packard Children Hospital and author of the book Feeding Baby Green, says that to a baby’s metabolism, a teaspoon of rice cereal is like giving them a teaspoon of sugar. Dr. Greene started his “White Out” campaign to encourage parents to ditch the white rice cereal in favor of whole grains or another whole food.

The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t differentiate between white or brown rice cereals in its reccomendations for parents, but one look at the nutrition stats of white rice versus brown rice provides a compelling argument in favor of the whole grain. When rice is processed from white to brown, it is stripped of all the sugar-stabilizing fiber and essential fatty acids, as well as most of the magnesium, iron, B vitamins, phosphorus and manganese. Ironically, iron and other vitamins are added back into white rice cereal, ostensibly to make it more healthy. But how does that make any sense?

In addition, more and more studies are showing that how we feed our babies in their first months matters for the rest of their lives. No pressure! For example, one in three babies born today is predicted to develop diabetes in their lifetime. And a 2010 Harvard University study suggests that while white rice might trigger diabetes, brown rice could help prevent it. So why are we still feeding our kids foods that might make them sick?

In the middle of the last century, more mothers were entering the workforce, putting more strains on their time, and industrial food production and food science were ramping up. Food scientists and doctors alike began to operate under the assumption that scientifically created foods were somehow healthier for babies than mother’s milk or whole, natural foods that babies had been eating for millennia. White rice is gluten-free and allergy-free, and babies generally find it easy to digest. Thus, the habit of starting babies on white rice cereal was born.

But Dr. Greene is convinced that letting kids experience real, whole foods for their first taste of solids is a much better option. His White Out campaign has been gaining national traction since it launched in 2010. Yet some doctors remain unconvinced, as there have been no scientific studies definitively linking white rice—or any other single food—to an increased risk of obesity.

The bottom line: Rice cereal is the number one source of calories for most babies in the US until they are about 11 months old, yet there are plenty of other options that make wonderful alternatives for a kiddo’s first taste of solid foods. Mashed avocado, banana or sweet potato are all nutritionally superior—and totally safe—options for stage one baby food, providing natural vitamins and minerals, fiber and healthy fats. But don’t worry; if you’re still more comfortable starting your bundle of joy on a cereal, try a whole grain, such as whole oat baby cereals or brown rice cereal.

You should always discuss your options with your own pediatrician, but Dr. Green suggests that any of these choices are far better for your baby’s health and future food preferences than white rice cereal.

]]>Don’t Get Bowled Over by Your Breakfast Cerealhttp://www.organicauthority.com/health/breakfast-cereal-isnt-as-healthy-as-you-think.html
Tue, 03 Jan 2012 04:38:59 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s5-health/c8-health/breakfast-cereal-isnt-as-healthy-as-you-think/Just because a food seems healthy doesn’t mean it is. Peer into a bowl of cereal. What might seem like a healthy, good-for-you breakfast may not be what you’re sitting down to eat. You might find some extra items lurking in your cereal bowl that you hadn’t anticipated: extra calories, fat, artificial colors and sodium. […]

Just because a food seems healthy doesn’t mean it is. Peer into a bowl of cereal. What might seem like a healthy, good-for-you breakfast may not be what you’re sitting down to eat.

You might find some extra items lurking in your cereal bowl that you hadn’t anticipated: extra calories, fat, artificial colors and sodium. You might ask yourself how you could miss these things? Think about some of the ways manufacturers use the real estate of a cereal box to entice you. Some use the front of a product’s label or container to promote healthy-sounding aspects like “no cholesterol” or include words like “multigrain” in the name, or something else that sounds good for you. Maybe they use colors and designs to suggest a “natural” product.

No matter which box of cereal you pick up for whatever reason, be sure to read the full ingredient label on the back or side of the product. You’ll find the more complete list of ingredients there, and may decide the “good” still doesn’t outweigh the bad. Looking for a dairy-free alternative milk for your cereal? Check out this OA comparison.

The Prize Inside

There aren’t simply things to avoid with cereals, but good things to look for, too. As you read your cereal ingredients, spend a little time to figure out what is good on the label before you simply take it home for a tasty breakfast or treat. It might take a few times before you find something healthy that also appeals to your tastes, but in the end, it will be worth a bit of trial and error.

Whole grain and fiber. Just because your cereal says “multigrain” doesn’t mean you’re getting the benefits of whole grain ingredients. Look for cereal that has at least one serving of whole grains included and that is high in fiber (look for at least 3 grams of fiber). Cereals with whole bran are usually higher in fiber, too. Benefits associated with whole grains, like potentially lowering your risk of heart disease and your risk of gaining weight, aren’t generally found with refined grains.

Sodium, sugar and fats. Check the labels for high amounts of sodium and added sugars and try to steer clear. Some cereals can contain 210-350 grams of sodium per serving. If you are trying to limit your sodium intake, pay close attention to the label. Ingredients like coconut can contribute to high amounts of saturated fats. Avoid saturated and trans fats (keep an eye on the ingredient labels of cereals with names that sound more like dessert). Keep tabs on granola, too, since some can be high in fat, calories and sugar.

Sugars are found naturally in fruits (think dried fruit in cereals), but according to the USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans, most sugars found in cereal are “added sugars” to help sweeten the taste or as preservatives. While fruit contains sugar, it also includes other things (like fiber) that are good for you. Added sugars like high fructose corn syrup, malt syrup, molasses and white sugar provide mostly calories. Check out a list of 23 items from the Harvard School of Public Health considered to be added sugar in cereals.

To help alleviate obesity and heart disease, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends a diet with no more added sugar than 100 calories a day for most women (about 6 teaspoons or 24 grams of sugar) and 150 calories per day for men (about 9 teaspoons or 36 grams of sugar). Take a look at the Harvard School of Public Health’s comprehensive list of the sugar content in a variety of breakfast cereals.

Some Tips to Remember When Searching for Cereal – Hot or Cold:

A shorter ingredient list can mean fewer bad-for-you ingredients

Cereals higher in fiber are usually lower in sugar

Check to see if the sugar is from added fruit or added sugars, and avoid the added sugars

Watch your portion and serving sizes — it’s so easy to eat a really full bowl (okay maybe even two bowls) of cereal

Don’t flake out! A little homework is all you need to help find a nutritious, tasty cereal to start your day.

]]>12 Fat Burning Carbs that Whittle Your Waisthttp://www.organicauthority.com/health/fat-burning-carbohydrates-for-weight-loss.html
Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:22:49 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s5-health/c8-health/fat-burning-carbohydrates-for-weight-loss/Mmm-hmmm… everybody knows that when you’re trying to shed excess weight, the first thing that’s gotta go are the potatoes and bread, so nice try. Way to sell a headline. All this time I’ve been diligently cutting the carbohydrates out of my diet so I can finally see that needle on my scale move in the […]

Mmm-hmmm… everybody knows that when you’re trying to shed excess weight, the first thing that’s gotta go are the potatoes and bread, so nice try. Way to sell a headline. All this time I’ve been diligently cutting the carbohydrates out of my diet so I can finally see that needle on my scale move in the right direction and now you’re trying to tell me that foods like pasta and rice are actually good for weight loss? Just like drinking chocolate milk and scarfing down Twinkies, I suppose?

Well, it depends on the type of carb that we choose, but the short answer is yes — there are specific shining stars that for far too long we’ve mistakenly cut out of our dietary repertoire. First, a few ground rules to bear in mind:

Rule #3: The less a carbohydrate is processed, the better it is for our body.

Rule #4: For best affect, carbohydrates with higher levels of resistant starch — the naturally occurring compound found in white potatoes, bananas and even corn — should be consumed cold.

Rule #5: And, the golden rule to end all carb-related weight loss rules: Resistant starch is our friend. Rather than being stored in the body for later use, it takes on the characteristics of dietary fiber by passing through the system while not only aiding fat oxidation but also helping to keep blood sugar levels in check. In other words, on a daily basis, dieters can torch up to 25% more fat just by indulging in starch-resistant foods (experts suggest that eating 20 grams every day will yield the best results).

Well, hello there little potato… I’ve missed you so. Time to roll out the red carpet once again for these unsung healthy carb heroes. The days of lonely bits of lean protein and solitary veggies are finally over!

]]>Navigating Junk Food Aisles With Kidshttp://www.organicauthority.com/kids/navigating-junk-food-aisles-with-kids-when-food-shopping.html
Wed, 06 Jul 2011 01:58:59 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/s2-sanctuary/c22-kids/navigating-junk-food-aisles-with-kids-when-food-shopping/When my son was about five, we had our first grocery store temper tantrum over a bag of chocolate chip cookies. You’d think this would have happened much sooner in his life, but I had always managed to successfully steer him in the direction of a healthy choice like a banana first and then follow up […]

When my son was about five, we had our first grocery store temper tantrum over a bag of chocolate chip cookies. You’d think this would have happened much sooner in his life, but I had always managed to successfully steer him in the direction of a healthy choice like a bananafirst and then follow up with a tiny bag of fruit-juice sweetened animal crackers. But on this day, the healthy food planets weren’t aligned and my son wanted chocolate chip cookies now, now, now, now. “We have chocolate chip cookies at home,” I told him, but he was wild, like a tornado.

Other shoppers shot me the evil eye and were most likely thinking: Hey lady, just give him the cookie. But there’s a point to be made about making healthy decisions. (Especially because my son already had three cookies before he got to the store. Did I leave that part out?)

Once we got home and he calmed down, I schooled him on a little food shopping 101. He was at the age where he could understand the bigger picture about cereal commercials, shelf placement and healthy food decisions.

The reality is that the cookie aisle at Whole Foods is relatively tame. Go into any supermarket in the US, and you are bombarded with long rows of preservative-laden, sugar-heavy and food-colored options that are more challenging to steer your child away from. Here are a few ways to manage through the junk food aisles:

1. Make a list of the best fruits and veggies

Download the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” on your iPhone (if you’ve got one) or print it out. Their list of contaminated fruits and veggies will help you decide what produce is an organic must and allow your child to determine what can go in the cart. This great tip, via Kiwi, allows older kids to be involved in choosing the “cleanest” fruits and veggies.

2. Watch out for the dairy aisle

You might think you’re safe here. Yogurt, cheese, milk. What could be bad? But experts say kids’ yogurts are packed with sugar. Always check to see if sugar or high fructose corn syrup is the first ingredient listed. Or try to steer your child in the direction of Greek yogurt that often comes with honey. (My daughter loves the plain Fage yogurt with a spoonful of honey on the side.)

3. Ask them to eat a healthy option first

I promise you, my banana first trick worked like a charm every time until our one-and-only cookie incident above. My only mistake: Not prepping him before we got into the store. So, first, decide if you’re going to allow a cookie. If yes, then tell your child they can choose healthy first. Giving your child the fruit first option makes them feel more in control of their diet.

Please know, I’m not suggesting that you open a package of Newman’s Own Crème Filled Chocolate Cookies and go to town. (No, that’s for later when the kids are asleep. Kidding!) But there’s nothing wrong with offering one. Your child has to agree to this option before you open the bag. This is also a great reward for toddlers.

4. Read the labels on cereal boxes with your child

The cereal aisle is the great white shark of the market. It will suck your child in and eat them alive. To survive this lane, teach your child words like fiber and sugar. Don’t rush through to avoid altogether; use it as an educational experience if they can tolerate it. Make it a game and ask them to scan nutritional labels and compare ingredient lists to see which cereals have less sugar. The more they understand what they’re looking for, what to avoid and why, the more they’ll be able to manage their own cravings.

5. Educate them before you get to the store

Comcast made a brilliant move by running old episodes of The Flinstones. Or so I thought until I watched the Fruity Pebbles commercial at the top of the show. It was like witnessing a Pavlovian response. “Mom, can we have Fruity Pebbles?” Jake said before Fred even hollered “Wilma!” Marketing is nothing new in the cereal industry—which has been marketed to kids since the days of I Love Lucy—but it was news to my boy. So I paused my DVR player and explained what just happened.

“The company that makes Fruity Pebbles wants you to buy their cereal,” I said. “They think kids will watch the show and then will want the cereal.”

“Well, I do want the cereal,” he said. “It’s part of a complete breakfast.” (That’s how fast messaging works.)

“Do you think a cereal full of sugar is good for breakfast?” I said.

“No, that’s probably more of a treat,” he said. And then he scratched his chin. “So does that mean I can have it for dessert, Mom?”

]]>Post-Exercise Protein Powerhttp://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/organic-food/post-exercise-protein-power/
http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/organic-food/post-exercise-protein-power/#commentsSun, 10 Jan 2010 18:07:11 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/?p=6324Do you rely on popular sports drinks for a boost after exercising? If so, you may want to switch to a bowl of whole-grain cereal and skim milk. Researchers at the University of Texas, Austin, have found the latter choice is easier on the wallet and equally effective. “The milk provides a source of easily […]

If so, you may want to switch to a bowl of whole-grain cereal and skim milk.

Researchers at the University of Texas, Austin, have found the latter choice is easier on the wallet and equally effective.

“The milk provides a source of easily digestible and high-quality protein, which can promote protein synthesis and training adaptations, making this an attractive recovery option for those who refuel at home,” says UT exercise physiologist Lynne Kammer, whose study of cyclists was published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.

Kammer and her coauthors encourage amateur athletes and those who engage in moderate physical activity to pop into the kitchen for this quick-fix breakfast combo after a workout.

]]>http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/organic-food/post-exercise-protein-power/feed/1Strawberry Cereal Shakehttp://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/organic-food-recipes/strawberry-cereal-shake/
http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/organic-food-recipes/strawberry-cereal-shake/#commentsFri, 25 Sep 2009 15:03:42 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/?p=5642Cereal in a milkshake? Absolutely! With the right ingredients, you can drink a hearty breakfast that offers protein, fruit and fiber. Today’s recipe is great for busy morning breakfasts—a grab-and-go option for readers who tend to skip the most important meal of the day. All of the ingredients should be available at your local natural […]

]]>http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/organic-food-recipes/strawberry-cereal-shake/feed/4High-Stylin’ Cerealhttp://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/organic-food/high-stylin%E2%80%99-cereal/
http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/organic-food/high-stylin%E2%80%99-cereal/#commentsSun, 06 Sep 2009 13:10:55 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/?p=5398As noted a week ago, Americans need to close the whole-grain gap. Most of us fail to meet our daily dietary requirements. With August vacations behind us and the school year upon us, New York City dietitian Jackie Newgent offers some great ways to turn your bland morning cereal into a breakfast superstar. Newgent is […]

Dress Up Your Cereal. Don’t serve cereal with plain ol’ milk. Opt for fat-free milk and fruit or low-fat yogurt (or fat-free soy milk and fruit). Try exotic fruits that are new to you, or pick up some peak-season selections from your local farmers’ market. There are endless varieties.

Make a Cereal Sundae. Layer your favorite organic whole-grain cereal in a wine, martini or parfait glass, along with low-fat yogurt and seasonal fruit. Check out last month’s recipe for Mandarin Orange Cereal Bowl.

Mix-and-Match Cereals to Create Your Favorite Combo. You know you should choose an organic high-fiber cereal. But if its flavors fail to satisfy you, mix it with a lower-fiber cereal. (Sugary kids’ cereals don’t count!) You’ll get the best of both worlds: nutrition and taste.

Snacks and Other Meals

Bag It to Go. Toss cereal, dried fruit and nuts in travel-size containers. Try dried cranberries and almonds for a nutritious kick and super flavor.

Sprinkle It…Just a Bit. Want to add a little crunch to a salad or casserole? Top it with a crunchy, high-fiber organic cereal instead of croutons, French-fried onions or potato chips.

Whole grains include oatmeal, brown or wild rice, buckwheat, bulgur, whole-wheat cereal, whole-wheat pasta and quinoa. (Click here for a full list. Be sure to differentiate them from refined grains, and make organic choices.)

“Start the day right with a bowl of whole-grain cereal, fat-free milk and fruit,” says Jackie Newgent, a registered dietitian and culinary consultant in New York City.

]]>http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/organic-food/closing-the-whole-grains-gap/feed/8Mandarin Orange Cereal Bowlhttp://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/organic-food-recipes/mandarin-orange-cereal-bowl/
http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/organic-food-recipes/mandarin-orange-cereal-bowl/#commentsSat, 29 Aug 2009 15:02:53 +0000http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/?p=5350Eating a healthy breakfast can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, aid in weight loss, and improve memory and concentration. For children, skipping breakfast has been associated with headaches, fatigue, restlessness, irritability and other problems. We tend to forgo breakfast when we’re rushed or bored with the same old morning menu. But solving this quandary […]